Nutrition

Optimum Endocrine Care

Nidal Hasan, MD

Endocrinologist located in Calumet Heights, Chicago, IL & Munster, IN

You already know “you are what you eat,” but do you know just how important optimal nutrition can be to your day-to-day wellness and overall health? With obesity and obesity-related illnesses like heart disease and diabetes on the rise, understanding what it means to eat well is more relevant than ever. Board-certified endocrinologist Nidal Hasan, MD, and the team of clinical dietitians at Optimum Endocrine Care in Calumet Heights, Chicago and Munster, Indiana, believe that empowering people with sound nutritional strategies is one of the best ways to support their long-term health. Call your nearest office or book an appointment online today.

Nutrition Q & A

Why is a healthy diet important?

Food is fuel. It gives you the energy you need to work, exercise, and socialize; it also helps support the long-term health and vitality of your body as well as your mind.

The foods and beverages you choose to incorporate into your diet affect virtually all your bodily systems. Just as a good diet has the power to energize you and support your efforts to achieve good health, a bad diet has the power to stall or undermine your efforts to stay healthy.

While it may seem clear that following a nutritious diet is the only way to go when it comes to supporting your body’s everyday needs and long-term health, many people don’t know exactly what optimal personal nutrition looks like.

Whether you’re not sure how many calories you need or which vitamins and minerals you should be getting more of, Dr. Hasan and his team of dietitians can provide detailed information on your current nutritional status, help you bridge any gaps in your diet, and give you precise dietary recommendations to simplify the process.

What does a healthy diet look like?

Although nutrition is an evolving science that becomes more refined as researchers learn more about the long-term effects of specific foods or nutrients, sound nutrition isn’t as complicated as it may seem.

For people of all ages and health conditions, good nutrition simply means eating a variety of nutrient-rich, wholesome foods while avoiding as many calorie-dense, processed foods as possible. A healthy diet is one that:

Includes high-quality foods

Unrefined, minimally processed whole foods, including fresh vegetables and fruit, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean sources of protein, form the basis of any healthy diet.

How can sound nutrition help me stay healthy?

People who eat a nutritious diet are more likely to live longer and less likely to develop a chronic illness like heart disease, diabetes, or cancer.

Clean eating also has a direct and positive impact your short-term health and day-to-day wellness, because it keeps your brain active and helps your body repair and replace tissues, including bone and muscle.